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Workers Threatened With Arrest After Paychecks Bounce

At least three former employees of Consumer Products Services in Alsip received a letter like this one from their local Currency Exchange, threatening legal action after their paychecks bounced. (Credit: CBS)

ALSIP, Ill. (CBS) — A group of workers at an Alsip company just wanted to get paid. They thought their paycheck problems had been worked out, until Wednesday, when some former workers were threatened with arrest when their paychecks bounced.

Burbank resident Ted Dabrowski tried to cash two company checks at a Currency Exchange more than a month ago, but the checks bounced.

He thought the problems with those paychecks had been cleared up by the company, until Tuesday night when a police officer showed up at his home.

“He comes and tells me that if I don’t pay the money (to the Currency Exchange) by Friday, I’m going to be arrested,” Dobrowski said.

His sister, Angelika Dabrowska, said the experience was frustrating and frightening. “Especially at 8 o’clock at night. It just seemed strange that a police officer would show up at the door.”

Former co-worker Leo Martinez was in a similar situation. He got a letter Wednesday from another Currency Exchange, saying the check he cashed more than a month ago had bounced and warning him to pay up or face legal action.

“I didn’t know what to say,” Martinez said. “I really actually got really mad. … It’s not my fault. It’s money that I worked for and then they’re gonna send me a letter saying I have to pay it back? That’s not right.”

Burbank police said they have no record of the police visit to the Dobrowskis’ home, but will investigate the matter after talking to the family.

Late Wednesday afternoon, another former employee said he received a similar letter about a bounced check from his Currency Exchange, asking him to pay up or else.

Consumer Products Service’s vice president of operations said he was just made aware of this situation and wants to make sure the checks were cashed legally.